You have a law degree and you need to use that degree to launch a new career. Maybe the job market is lousy, you are burned out or you changed your mind. College students often major in one field only to land in a career in a totally different field. It only seems more challenging with a law degree since law school graduates, like medical school graduates, exit academia with specialized knowledge. People with law degrees become restaurant owners, open movie theaters and write fiction. Some prefer to stay with law, even if rejecting a career as a lawyer. Your law degree carries the promise of extensive knowledge, skills and personal qualities that transfer well to many other careers.

Professor or Instructor

Some legal students prepare during law school for teaching careers, while others gain work experience and return to academia later in their careers to teach. Many undergraduate and community college courses focus on how the law affects specific fields, such as social work, banking or public administration. Instructors at community colleges teach continuing education courses or conduct public interest workshops or seminars. Create a series of seminars based on your interests in the field -- maybe surviving divorce court, family court, civil court, bankruptcy or homeowner associations.

Journalist or Consultant

Your writing, analysis, and research skills prepare you for a career in writing or consulting. Print media, network and cable news, and Internet sites hire legal journalists and consultants. Use your entrepreneurial spirit to build a reputation as a blogger focusing on special-interest legal issues, such as finance and investment, patent law, health care or corporate law. Many companies hire in-house legal counsel to keep them on the right side of statutes and regulations.

Conflict Resolution

Use your legal knowledge and your communication and negotiation skills, honed in law school and legal practice, for a career in advocacy or conflict resolution. Your law degree gives you an edge when you work on issues you care about, such as the environment, child welfare, mental illness or public policy. Courts and corporations use mediators and arbitrators, whose decisions are often legally binding, to settle disputes.

Policy and Politics

Your legal knowledge makes you a valuable asset for a think tank or policy watch organization. Lobbyists and advocates attempt to influence policy for specific social or legal issues. Monitors closely watch court and congressional activity in policy areas. Many people with law degrees run for political office -- local school board, city manager, mayor or senator -- or manage the political campaigns of others.

About the Author

Gail Sessoms, a grant writer and nonprofit consultant, writes about nonprofit, small business and personal finance issues. She volunteers as a court-appointed child advocate, has a background in social services and writes about issues important to families. Sessoms holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal studies.